Welcome toFirst Grade

Curriculum Night

Beginning of Year Expectations for Reading

Students should be able to:• Decode all C-V-C (consonant, vowel, consonant) words (bag,

can, pot, etc.)• Blend 2 consonants (br, cl, sp, etc. ) to decode a word.• Identify all consonant sounds, short, and long vowel sounds.• Identify beginning, middle, and final sound of a word.• Read and write the kindergarten sight word list; me, I, a, is, in,

am, to, come, like, see, the, my, we, and, at, here, on, up, look, go, it

• Retell a story including characters, setting, problem, and solution in order, with details.

Beginning of Year Expectations for Writing

Students should be able to:• Write first and last name with proper use of capitalization.• Write a simple sentence with proper capitalization, spacing,

and a period.• Copy from the screen or board with ease.• Use inventive spelling (sounding out) including the beginning,

middle, and ending sound.• Identify a question mark, exclamation mark, period, comma,

and quotation marks.

Beginning of Year Expectations for Math

Students should be able to:• Rote count to 100.• Write numbers 0-20• Count sets of objects up to 20, using one to one

correspondence• Identify circle, square, rectangle, oval, hexagon,

trapezoid, rhombus• Recite days of the week, months of the year, and

read a calendar• Add and subtract with objects to 20

Reading Benchmarks• At the end of the year, your child is required to be reading

on an Independent level 16 with comprehension to be promoted to 2nd grade. There are samples of a level 16 on each table for you to take a look at.

• Each child will receive reading instruction daily in a small group which is based on their individual reading level. This ensures that each child is challenged yet not frustrated.

• Your child’s reading level is frequently assessed both formally and informally. Reading groups change according to your child’s needs.

• A solid foundation of sight word recognition is necessary to become a fluent reader. A great site is www.mrsperkins.com We strongly recommend that children master all lists on the site.

Math in First Grade

• Humble ISD’s math program is called Investigations. This is a hands on approach to learning mathematical concepts.

• This year your child will be expected to;• Add and subtract up to 18• Solve and create addition and subtraction story problems• Add a string of numbers (4+5+6+2=)• Tell time to hour and half hour (quarter hour is preferred)• Identify coins and value, be able to trade coins• Identify 3 dimensional solids and name attributes (vertices, sides,

faces)• Use a number line for adding and subtracting• Order numbers from greatest to least, and visa versa

Writing

• Writing is a challenging task for young kids because of the risk involved. The reason we do not over correct spelling is because it will hinder their desire to write. We encourage inventive spelling (sounding it out). As your child’s reading level progresses, he/she will gain an understanding of word patterns and make less frequent errors. Offer authentic writing activities such as notes, grocery lists, requests, etc.

• In class, your child will participate in Writer’s Workshop daily. During this time, we will provide a lesson and then your child will independently write stories. Different genres will be introduced and taught throughout the year.

Word Study (spelling)• Humble ISD has adopted Words Their Way. We have used this

program for 2 years in first grade.• Words Their Way is a developmentally-driven approach to word study

that integrates and teach children phonics, vocabulary, and spelling skills.

• Each child is given a spelling inventory to determine their developmental spelling stage. The sequence of the program is based on the alphabet, pattern, and meaning principles that have been observed in students’ spelling. Your child’s word study words are based on their spelling stage, thus there will be several lists in our class.

• Word study will begin September 17th. You will receive your child’s list each Friday via email for the upcoming week. Spelling tests will be every Friday. Lists will NOT be posted on websites since there will be several lists.

Word Study Practice at Home• Purchase a few sets of magnetic letters. Call out the word and

have your child make it with letters.• Cup Race- Turn styro foam or plastic cups upside down and

write a letter on each cup. You will want to make extras for vowels or frequently used letters. Line up the cups in ABC order. Call out a word and have your child race to grab the cup letter by letter. You can also use sticky notes.

• www.spellingcity.com Customize the word study list and play games online.

• Use a set of letter stamps to stamp words in ink or play dough• Sing the word to B-I-N-G-O “There was a word and it was

great space was its’ name-o, S-P-A-C-E, S-P-A-C-E, S-P-A-C-E and space was its’ name-o

GradingHumble I.S.D. uses portfolio based grades from K-2nd grade

Scores - Definition• 1- Below Basic- working below grade level• 2- Basic- beginning to meet, many errors• 3- Proficient- regularly meets, few errors• 4- Advanced- consistently meets and often exceedsResponses• If your child has a 1 or a 2 on an assignment, please review at

home. • Not all work will be graded

Behavior• Daily Folders must be reviewed and signed everyday. This is an

important communication link between parents and teacher. We do not check backpacks, send any communication, lunch money, etc. in the daily folder.

• Blue (excellent) Student has followed all classroom expectations.

• Green (satisfactory) Student has been warned about a behavior (usually several times). Now that rules are established, student will miss 5 minutes from recess or another activity.

• Yellow- (needs improvement) Student has continued to misbehave. Student will miss 10 minutes from recess or another activity.

• Red (unsatisfactory) Student is non-compliant, physically aggressive, or disruptive. Physically aggressive behavior and non-compliance will result in an office visit/write-up.

Conferences

• We conference with each parent in October, prior to distribution of report cards. Conference sign ups will be emailed out mid- October.

• Any time you have concerns about your student, please do not hesitate to contact me for a conference.

Reading at Home

• Read aloud a minimum of 15 minutes a night. • Before reading a new book, have your child take a picture

walk and discuss the pictures and what may happen in the story. Read the names of the author and illustrators .

• Look for sight words in books.• Make flash cards of words in the book that your child

struggled with.• Discuss story elements-characters, setting, problem, and

solution.• Make predictions of what will happen next in the story.• Have your child retell the story including details beginning,

middle, and end.

Homework Menu

• You will receive a paper and electronic copy of a homework menu the first Monday each month.

• Homework is due on Fridays.• Please complete homework in the spiral

notebook that I sent home. Do not tear out the pages.

• Remember to also log reading in the daily folder.

September’s Homework Menu

RAZ-Kids.com

• We wrote and were awarded a grant through the

Humble Education Foundation last spring for RAZ-Kids. This is an online guided reading program with interactive e-books, downloadable books, and reading quizzes. We are very thankful to the foundation to be able to provide this invaluable resource to your children. The order is in process, and we look forward to sending you log in information soon.

Great Resources

• http://www.starfall.com (great for learning vowel sounds, blends, diagraphs, vowel rules)

• http://www.coolmath4kids.com (math games)

• http://www.funbrain.com/ (thinking games)

• http://mrsperkins.com (sight words)

Questions?

We are excited about the upcoming

school year! Please email or call anytime if you have questions or

concerns.